PoE 2: Waystone Guide - Maps & Modifiers

Time: 2025-01-30 by mmojugg Game: Path of Exile 2 Guide Tags: PoE 2 Waystone Guide

Waystones are a crucial element of Path of Exile 2's endgame, serving as both map portals and powerful modifiers that shape the map experience. This guide explores the mechanics, acquisition methods, strategic uses and inherent risks associated with Waystones.

Waystones: More than just portals

Waystones are not simply keys to access maps; they are tools for customising the challenges and rewards within. By using Waystones strategically, players can tailor their map runs to suit their specific needs, whether that be maximising loot, targeting specific items, or pushing their builds to the limit.

Waystone Types and Mechanics: A Breakdown

There are several types of waystones, each with unique characteristics:

Normal Waystones: These are the standard waystones used to access maps. Their tier (T1 to T16) directly correlates with the map's inherent difficulty and potential rewards. Higher-tier Waystones unlock more challenging maps with greater loot potential.

Corrupted Waystones: Normal Waystones can be corrupted using a Vaal Orb. This process can add powerful beneficial modifiers such as increased item quantity or monster pack size, but also carries the risk of detrimental effects such as increased monster damage or altered map layouts. Corruption can also increase the level of the waystone.

Irradiated Waystones: Irradiating a waystone adds a layer of delirium to the map. This controlled Delirium effect significantly increases the difficulty and rewards of the map run, providing a targeted way to engage with Delirium content.

Waystone Modifiers: Shaping the Encounter

Waystones can have both prefixes and suffixes that further modify the map experience:

Prefixes: These modifiers usually add to the challenge, often increasing the size of the monster pack, the damage dealt, or the amount of items dropped.

Suffixes: Suffixes can introduce additional mechanics to the map, such as extra breaches or expeditions, or affect the types of currency or items that are more likely to be dropped.

Acquiring Waystones: From drops to crafting

Waystones can be acquired in a number of ways

Map drops: Regular Waystones can be dropped by monsters and by completing maps. Higher level Waystones are rarer.

Crafting: Players can craft and modify Waystones using various currency items. This allows a degree of control over the modifiers and level of the Waystone.

Reforging Bank: This crafting station allows players to combine or reforge Waystones, giving them the chance to improve their modifiers or increase their tier.

Strategic Use of Waystones: Maximising Efficiency

Effective Waystone management is crucial to endgame progression

Card Rolling: Players often 'roll' Waystones by using currency to modify their affixes until they achieve a desirable combination. This often involves targeting high quantity or pack size modifiers for farming, or specific mechanics for targeted item acquisition.

Atlas Influence: Placing Waystones on the atlas can affect nearby maps, especially when combined with atlas passives that enhance certain effects. This allows for strategic manipulation of map modifiers across a region.

Endgame Farming: High-level, well-modified Waystones are essential for tackling challenging end-game content such as Citadels, and for farming specific high-value items through league mechanics such as Ritual or Breach.

Risks and Limitations: The Price of Power

While Waystones offer significant potential rewards, they also come with inherent risks

Corruption risks: Corrupting Waystones can backfire, resulting in detrimental modifiers that make maps overly difficult or less rewarding.

Investment costs: Crafting or purchasing high quality Waystones can be expensive, requiring a significant investment of in-game currency and time.

Thank you for reading

A Cornerstone of Endgame Strategy

Waystones are a fundamental part of the Path of Exile 2 endgame. They allow players to customise their map runs and balance risk and reward. Mastering Waystone management, including crafting, rolling, and strategic placement, is essential to maximising efficiency and success in Path of Exile 2's challenging endgame content. Understanding the interplay between Waystones, Atlas passives, and League mechanics is key to unlocking the full potential of this system.